Editorial Reviews
Book Description
Newton's 1702 lunar theory has puzzled scholars for centuries. Was it based on gravitational theory, as the anonymous prefatory matter suggests? If so, why does it make use of epicycles---the last serious astronomical work to do so? How did its various parameters fit together? How accurate was it? How was it related to Newton's lunar theory in the 1713 edition of the Principia? Did anyone actually use it?
In this engaging piece of detective work, Nicholas Kollerstrom has combined historical research with computer analysis to investigate these questions. The lunar theory turns out to have been the basis for numerous eighteenth century tables, and the theory was used in China well into the twentieth century. It was taken (heavily disguised) into the Principia of 1713, with one important correction. In this form, it was remarkably accurate, about as good as the observations on which it was based. It was used by Halley (in a procedure explained here for the first time) to compute lunar positions with an accuracy of under one arcminute-good enough to have won the Longitude Prize.
Newton's Forgotten Lunar Theory includes the complete text of the 1702 English edition, with annotations and a detailed commentary, and numerous tables and graphs showing the results of computer analysis. The book is supported by a freely downloadable computer model of the lunar theory. This program allows readers to test the theory for themselves.
From the Publisher
Hardcover with Dust Jacket, xxii + 257 pp., Bibliography and Index.
Newton's Forgotten Lunar Theory, His Contribution to the Quest for Longitude: Includes Newton's Theory of the Moon's Motion
Newton's Forgotten Lunar Theory, His Contribution to the Quest for Longitude: Includes Newton's Theory of the Moon's Motion,Nick Kollerstrom,Isaac, Sir Newton,Green Lion Press,188800908X,Astronomy - General,Early works to 1800,History,Longitude,Lunar theory,Measurement,Moon,Orbit,Science,Science / Astronomy,Science / History,Science/Mathematics,System Theory,Astronomy,History Of Astronomy,History Of Science
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